The U.S. Navy successfully completed Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
interface tests off the coast of Camp Pendleton June 13, aboard the
Navy's first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1).

During the test, LCACs from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Five transported
Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAVs) and their crews from their Camp Pendleton
base and offloaded them onto the Montford Point, demonstrating the MLP's
ability to serve as a mobile seabase, facilitating at-sea transfers
and ultimate delivery of equipment ashore.

The Military Sealift Command mobile landing ship USNS Montford Point
(MLP 1) in its final configuration with special docking spaces for LCACs.
The vessel is seen here balasting down.
Pictures: capntroy / rcgroups.com

"These
tests mark the first complete demonstrations of Montford Point's capabilities
working with Fleet assets," explained Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic
and Theater Sealift program manager for Program Executive Office (PEO)
Ships. "These tests prove just how valuable this vessel will be
in support of at-sea operations for the Navy."

Crews from both the LCACs and Montford Point conducted briefs, training
and additional drills to support the interface testing and provided
operators an opportunity to increase familiarity with the MLP class
in preparation for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)
later this year. The tests also demonstrated that Montford Point, with
its newly installed Core Capability Set (CCS), meets the standards and
requirements set by its Capabilities Development Document (CDD).

An artist concept of a mobile landing platform (MLP) ship
(Image: US Navy)

The
MLP's leverage float-on/ float-off technology and a reconfigurable mission
deck to maximize their capability. Montford Point's CCS includes modules
for a vehicle staging area, a sideport ramp, large mooring fenders and
up to three LCAC vessel lanes. These capabilities enable large-scale
logistics movements including the transfer of personnel, vehicles from
other vessels such as the large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships
(LMSRs) and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) onto LCACs for transport
ashore.

These tests are integral to familiarizing the Naval Beach Group personnel,
LCAC operators, and AAV operators with the MLP, its various modules
as well as its day and nighttime operations.